AT&T releases myWireless Mobile app for Android

In a move that probably should have happened a while ago, AT&T just released their myWireless Mobile for Android devices (which is currently only the Motorola Backflip). The AT&T myWireless Mobile app allows users to keep track of their AT&T account by being able to view & pay the bill, view usage for minutes, data, and messaging, and even allows users to add or remove features. It's pretty much the AT&T website re-packaged in a nice tidy mobile app. You'll have to sign up for a myWireless account to take advantage of the app but we'd suggest you AT&T Android users do that, there's nothing better than seeing how many Megabytes of data usage you can squeeze from them. [at&t via phonescoop]

Google IO Keynote liveblog -- live at noon EDT / 9 a.m. PDT

We're live at the Google IO keynote at Moscone West in San Francisco, where we expect to see the latest version of Android -- called Froyo -- announced any second now. We hope. Only one way to find out. Join us after the break to get it all as it happens.

Android, iPhone now make up one-quarter of all smartphones

How about another story about just how quickly Android's going? According to analyst Gartner, Android had a 1.9 percent worldwide smartphone market share in the first quarter of 2009. Fast forward to the first quarter of 2010, and that number has jumped to 9.6 percent. (Obviously the success of the Motorola Droid and its variants has had something to do with that, but other phones certainly have contributed, too.) The iPhone, meanwhile, climbed from 10.5 percent to 15.4 percent, giving the two operating systems 25 percent of the entire market. [Gartner]

Google co-founder gets a day's life out of his Android battery, and he thinks you should, too. Speaking at Google's Zeitgeist forum (alongside CEO Eric Schmidt), Page said poorly written third-party apps likely are to blame.

"I have noticed there are a few people who have phones where there is software running in the background that just sort of exhausts the battery quickly. If you are not getting a day, there is something wrong."

Schmidt -- who, like Page, also is way smarter than you -- chimed in, "The primary consumer of the battery life on these phones is the transmit/receive circuit. SO tuning that and obviously figuring out a way to not use too much of that extends your battery life."

The Xperia X10 Mini gets unboxed and reminds us how small it is

Surprise! The Xperia X10 Mini is really small. How small? Take a look at that unboxing video above, the accessories of the X10 Mini is bigger than the X10 Mini itself! Even though we saw the X10 Mini at MWC and have seen commercials for it, we just never get over how small the thing is. It's a cute little phone that can totally corner the mini smartphone market. Well, if there's such thing as a mini smartphone market that is. The X10 Mini looks to have customizable battery covers so you can rock all the pink, red, green, and silver you like. Though its big brother device disappointed us, maybe we'll look at the X10 Mini in a different light. If just has to get here. [SE product blog]

Firefox for Android pre-alpha updated, gets nightly builds

Blogger and Tech Lead of Mozilla's mobile devices team Stuart Parmenter has slipped out a new pre-alpha build for Android 2.x users. He still warns that it's likely to be very buggy and isn't even close to ready for prime time, but for us curious types he has posted it on his blog here to download and play with.

It's considerably better running and a bit smaller (the download is 9.6 MB, and the install is now 25MB versus 30MB in size) than the last build. I put it through the paces a little bit and found it to be quite a treat, especially knowing that it's still an early development version. And interestingly enough, it outscores the native Android browser on the Acid3 test. If you're feeling adventurous head over to Stuart's blog and give Fennec a spin. [pavlov.net]

Incredible's screen causing consternation for some - how about you?

There's a bit of gnashing of teeth apparently going on over the HTC Droid Incredible and its capacitive screen. Chris Tabor -- aka igl007 in just about every forum there is -- has been screaming from the rooftops about the Incredible's screen and how sometimes it won't respond unless you're holding it. And that's a problem, for instance, when you're using certain car docks, which is what started this whole thing.

Anyhoo, Chris did a series of tests, videoed them, and posted his results just about everywhere, and got some really good responses, some of which require an electrical engineering degree to understand. And it looks like some of you have this issue, and others don't. And it bothers some of you way more than others.

Let's face it: There's not going to be a mass recall of the Incredible over in what all likelihood is some sort of technical characteristic of the screen, not unlike what we saw with the Nexus One. Our advice? First, don't be playing with your phone while you're driving, even if it is in a car holder. (And maybe try a different car dock.) And second: If you do have to make a call or something, just touch your thumb to the phone and poke at it with whatever finger feels the most natural.

The sky is not falling. But it might have darkened a little bit. If you're still concerned about this, sound off in the comments or check out the thread here.

Android Writers Roundtable: Predictions for Google I/O

We're winging our way out to Google I/O development conference in San Francisco (follow us on Twitter for the inside scoop), where we'll spend a couple of days deep within the Google development community, hear a couple of keynote addresses -- oh, and likely get our first real look at the next major version of Android: Froyo.

We asked your favorite Android Central writers and Smartphone Experts editors about their homes, dreams and fears for Google IO. Check 'em out, after the break.

GM announces OnStar-Google partnership, will show more at Google IO

General Motors this morning announced it is adding even more Android to the upcoming Chevy Volt -- and we'll check it all out this week at Google IO.

We've already seen the Chevy Volt app for Android when it debuted at CES in January, and it'll be upgrated later this year to add Google Maps features, including voice search and Google Maps Navigation, wich we've enjoyed on Android 2.0 and up for a while now.

What we're really itching to see is what OnStar has up its sleeve in regards to Android.

“While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship is an example of how we’re evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology,” Chris Preuss, OnStar president, said in a news release. “What we’re talking about today is only the beginning.”

Indeed. More this week as we get it. [via GM] Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

Samsung Galaxy A caught on video

The just released Samsung Galaxy A just received an unboxing and video walkthrough, and if you're into watching a seven minute video about a phone that'll probably never ship to the US, in a language you don't understand, well, by all means! All kidding aside though, the Samsung Galaxy A is actually quite impressive--the colors on the screen pop, the build quality looks good, and the transitions are rather snappy. There's even a full-on antenna for mobile TV. Samsung is certainly upping their Android game with the Galaxy A and we hope the Galaxy S can extend that, while finding a way to the US. [via androidguys]

Google purchases VoIP firm, could lead to video chat for Android

Google today purchased Global IP Solutions, a $68 million move that could pave the way for a more native video chat solution (sorry, Qik and Sprint) for Android smartphones, possibly in gmail, or Google Talk, or maybe some new native app.

GIPS recently showed off its VideoEngine software, which you can see above. And between this, the Evo 4G and Qik, and the expected video chat on the next iPhone, we may well be ushering in a new connectivity era for smartphones. Stay tuned. [via Electronista]

Coming Wednesday: Google IO Keynote

Just a reminder, everybody, that we'll be liveblogging the keynotes Wednesday and Thursday from Google IO in San Francisco. Be sure to check back in if you want the latest in Android news, as it happens.

Verizon Droid Incredible commercial finally shows the phone

Verizon just released a new Droid Incredible commercial that actually shows off the phone. *gasp* Don't worry, it's only for a few seconds, the rest of the time it's red lasers firing off in every direction and the ominous voice saying "you've never seen fast" before. This ad spot definitely builds off the previous commercial (and all the Droid commercials really) but does it hurt to show off the phone a little more? Not hurting sales one bit it seems.

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